🇲🇻 How to Pay in Maldives

The Maldives is a destination where your resort handles almost everything. Airport transfers (speedboat or seaplane), meals, excursions, and activities are typically arranged through your accommodation. That said, a few apps are worth having for the gaps. Male, the capital, is where budget travelers and guesthouse-hoppers will spend more independent time, and apps become more useful there. The Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted at resorts. Wi-Fi at resorts ranges from excellent to patchy depending on your atoll. Cell coverage from Dhiraagu and Ooredoo is decent on inhabited islands but nonexistent on remote sandbanks. If you are island-hopping on local ferries, flexibility and patience are essential since schedules change with weather and demand.

Payment & Finance Apps

BML

Nice to have

Bank of Maldives' mobile app for banking and payments. BML is the country's largest bank, and its app lets you make local transfers and manage funds. Increasingly accepted at shops and restaurants in Male.

Pro tip: BML is mainly useful for longer stays or if you open a local account. For typical resort visitors, everything goes on your room bill and gets settled by credit card at checkout.

Dhiraagu Pay

Nice to have

A mobile payment service from Dhiraagu, the Maldives' original telecom operator. Growing in acceptance at shops and cafes across Male and inhabited islands.

All apps in Maldives →Maldives Payments guide →